Collective Action Against Underage Drinking
A coalition of community
leaders in areas of enforcement, education, prevention, public policy, media,
parents and youth have come together to work towards three goals. This is a
science-based strategy using a 3-prong approach that was developed by the
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (http://www.lcb.state.pa.us):
·
Reduce access to alcohol for
youth under age 21
encourage tavern owners to take part in the
Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP)
·
Change cultural and social
norms regarding underage drinking
youth involvement, alcohol free activities and coalition building
·
Increase enforcement of
underage drinking laws
compliance checks
sobriety check points
Members of the coalition completed a community assessment
of Indiana, and several recommendations concerning grant objectives were made.
Here is a list of some of those recommendations:
·
Educate students on the affects
of alcohol abuse and the legal implications of underage drinking
·
Educate parents on the impact
underage drinking can have on their children and family
·
Facilitate student organization
of positive alcohol free activities
During the three years of the grant the coalition will be continuously working towards reducing underage drinking. The prevention of underage drinking through increased enforcement efforts will be achieved through an Underage Drinking Taskforce that has been put in place by the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office.
Prevention through Enforcement
The overarching goal is that rural youth will live in a safe and healthy environment.
For more information on the Underage Drinking Enforcement Initiative or to become a member of the coalition, please call Carrie Bence, Enforcement Project Coordinator at (724) 354-2746 or e-mail at cbence@aidac.org.